Thursday, March 17, 2016

Like hiking? Fan of poetry? Very patient? You might find millions in buried treasure.

Yup. Somewhere out there.

Eccentric millionaire, avid hiker, and occasional poet Forrest Fenn wrote a jaunty, rhyming poem detailing the whereabouts of a treasure chest he filled with gold and gemstones--and buried somewhere nondescript in the Rocky Mountains.

Buried six years ago during the Great Recession, Fenn tells NPR he did it to brighten people's moods, have them venture outside, and see nature. And nothing motivates people to see the great outdoors like the smell of sweet, sweet cash.

Tens of thousands of people have reportedly searched for Fenn's chest, buried somewhere between his home in Sante Fe, New Mexico, and the Canadian border at an elevation over 5,000ft. That's right, if you find the chest you're at least hauling that thing a long way down. But after finding a buried fortune you'll be walking on air, or can at least hire someone to carry it for you.

The only hint to where it's buried is in the following poem written by Fenn in his self-published book, The Thrill of the Chase:

As I have gone alone in there
And with my treasures bold,
I can keep my secret where,
And hint of riches new and old.

Begin it where warm waters halt
And take it in the canyon down,
Not far, but too far to walk.
Put in below the home of Brown.

From there it's no place for the meek,
The end is ever drawing nigh;
There'll be no paddle up your creek,
Just heavy loads and water high.

If you've been wise and found the blaze,
Look quickly down, your quest to cease,
But tarry scant with marvel gaze,
Just take the chest and go in peace.

So why is it that I must go
And leave my trove for all to seek?
The answers I already know,
I've done it tired, and now I'm weak.

So hear me all and listen good,
Your effort will be worth the cold.
If you are brave and in the wood
I give you title to the gold.

"No one knows where that treasure chest is but me," Fenn tells NPR. "If I die tomorrow, the knowledge of that location goes in the coffin with me."

Wait-wait-wait. Is that a hint? Did he just offer a hint? I think he offered a hint. Is it going to be buried with him? Or is he going to be buried in the chest?

That is what an eccentric millionaire would do after all.





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